Piper Archer Aircraft 2020s
Near-new (2020+) piston singles are the youngest fleet available — Cirrus SR22 GTS / G7 platform, Cessna 172/182 continuing production, Diamond DA50 RG (2020+), Mooney production attempts. Latest Garmin Perspective+ / G1000 NXi software, factory mandate compliance, low airframe hours. Highest acquisition cost but lowest scheduled maintenance investment near-term.
The Piper Archer (PA-28-181) is the 180 hp version of the Cherokee — generally considered the best all-round four-seat single in the Piper line. Its Lycoming O-360 cruises around 125 knots with a useful load that takes four adults and meaningful baggage. Still in production today as the Archer LX (Garmin G1000) and DX (diesel), the Archer has the longest model life in the PA-28 family and the largest used market.
16 used Piper Archer aircraft for sale 2020s · 4-seat · Used median asking $142,000 · updated 13 hours ago
Piper Archer Specifications
Model specThe Piper Archer is a 4-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 115–143 kt (213–265 km/h), a range of 455–745 nm (843–1,380 km), and a useful load of 850–1,410 lbs (386–640 kg).
Piper Archer for Sale
Browse all listings →Piper Archer asking prices range from $3,348 to $554,000, with a median of $142,000 (market reference $115,000).
Piper Archer Variants
| Variant | Years | Seats | Cruise | Range | Useful load | Price range | Best for | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee 180 | 1963–1975 | 4 | 124 kts (230 km/h) | 630 nm (1,167 km) | 1,055 lbs (479 kg) | $22K – $179K | Buy the Cherokee 180 if you want an inexpensive, capable four-seat Cherokee that can actually carry four people. Consider the Piper Archer if you prefer the later tapered wing and the option of a still-in-production airframe, or the Cherokee 140/160 to save money for lighter use. | 74 |
| Cherokee 140 | 1964–1977 | 4 | 115 kts (213 km/h) | 455 nm (843 km) | 920 lbs (417 kg) | $20K – $130K | Buy the Cherokee 140 if you want the lowest-cost way into Cherokee ownership for training and local flying. Consider the Piper Warrior for the better-handling tapered wing and a bit more useful load, or the Cherokee 180 if you need more power to carry four people properly. | 98 |
| Cherokee 235 | 1964–1975 | 4 | 130 kts (241 km/h) | 745 nm (1,380 km) | 1,410 lbs (640 kg) | $89K – $195K | Buy the Cherokee 235 if you want maximum load-hauling on a budget and don't mind the older constant-chord wing. Consider the tapered-wing Piper Dakota for cleaner handling and a bit more speed, or the six-seat Piper Cherokee Six if you need more than four seats. | 34 |
| Arrow | 1967–2014 | 4 | 135 kts (250 km/h) | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 940 lbs (426 kg) | $44K – $232K | Buy the Arrow if you want a faster, complex-rated four-seater and the speed bump of retractable gear. Consider the Piper Archer if you would rather avoid the extra maintenance, insurance and gear inspections of a retractable, or the Turbo Arrow if you regularly fly high or in hot-and-high terrain. | 162 |
| Cadet | — | 2 | 115 kts (213 km/h) | 525 nm (972 km) | 850 lbs (386 kg) | — | Buy the Cadet if you want a low-cost, rugged PA-28 trainer and don't need rear seats. Consider a four-seat Piper Warrior or the modern Pilot 100i if you need to carry passengers or want updated avionics. | 2 |
| Cherokee 160 | — | 4 | 119 kts (220 km/h) | 474 nm (878 km) | 950 lbs (431 kg) | $47K – $109K | Buy the Cherokee 160 if you want a low-cost four-seat Cherokee with a bit more muscle than the 140. Consider the Cherokee 180 if you regularly carry four adults, or the Piper Warrior for the more modern tapered wing and gentler stall. | 8 |
| Dakota | — | 4 | 143 kts (265 km/h) | 650 nm (1,204 km) | 1,150 lbs (522 kg) | $125K – $249K | Buy the Dakota if you want the most power and useful load in a fixed-gear PA-28 and routinely fly with four people and bags. Consider the Piper Archer if you mostly fly one or two up and want lower fuel burn, or the retractable Piper Arrow if cruise speed matters more than cabin load. | 17 |
| Pilot 100i | — | 3 | 128 kts (237 km/h) | 522 nm (967 km) | 900 lbs (408 kg) | — | Buy the Pilot 100i if you want a new or nearly-new PA-28 trainer with modern Garmin glass and full factory support. Consider the in-production Piper Archer if you need a true four-seat owner aircraft, or a used Warrior to train at a much lower acquisition cost. | 2 |
| Warrior | — | 4 | 127 kts (235 km/h) | 640 nm (1,185 km) | 972 lbs (441 kg) | $34K – $178K | Buy the Warrior if you want the cheapest practical way to train and build hours in a stable, forgiving four-seater. Consider the Piper Archer if you need the extra 20-30 hp of the 180 engine for better climb and load when carrying four people and bags. | 59 |
Compare Piper Archer
See how the Piper Archer stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
⏲ Compare Cherokee vs Warrior vs Archer →Piper Archer Price & Cost
How much does a Piper Archer cost? Used Archer prices: $3K – $554K, average $142K (median $142K); market reference $115K, across 77 priced of 16 active listings.
Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.
Piper Archer Value by Model Year
Median asking price by year of manufacture. Newer airframes command a premium; value falls with age then plateaus on older models.
Lowest around $155,000 (2001 models) · highest around $491,000 (2023). Bars scaled across the range to show the depreciation curve; hover for exact medians.
Buying a Used Piper Archer
Buying a Piper Archer comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:
What to check before buying
Frequently Asked Questions — Piper Archer
How much does a used Piper Archer cost?
Archer or Warrior?
Is the Archer still in production?
How fast is the Archer?
Piper Archer Inventory by Country
| United States | 64 |
| United Kingdom | 6 |
| Australia | 5 |
| Sweden | 5 |
| Denmark | 4 |
| Germany | 4 |
Piper Archer Inventory by State
| California | 56 |
| Florida | 52 |
| Texas | 51 |
| Kentucky | 23 |
| Illinois | 13 |
| Georgia | 12 |
| Oklahoma | 11 |
| New Jersey | 11 |
| Arizona | 11 |
| South Carolina | 10 |
| Missouri | 10 |
| Pennsylvania | 10 |
Piper Archer by Price
| Under $100k | 247 |
| Under $200k | 527 |
| Under $300k | 555 |
| Under $500k | 575 |
Recently Sold Piper Archer
| 1981 Archer | $167,500 |
| 1977 Archer | $149,900 |
| 1982 Archer | $158,956 |
| 1979 Archer | $190,000 |
| 1974 Archer | $40,657 |
| 1975 Archer | $64,574 |
Piper Archer Safety Record
No NTSB events on record for the Piper Archer. Individual aircraft safety records may be available on detail pages.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database